Arter: Republic of Ireland are fighters

Harry Arter has heaped praise on his Republic of Ireland team-mates after their hard-fought win over Wales in World Cup qualifying.

Martin O'Neill's side edged out the Dragons 1-0 in Cardiff on Monday to secure a place in the World Cup play-offs as Group D runners-up.

Arter believes it's the team's determination and ability to rise to the occasion that helped them claim a crucial victory, courtesy of James McClean's solitary strike.

"That's one thing I feel the group is good at. I look at the Euros and the result against Italy sticks out, and you take confidence from performances like that," the Bournemouth midfielder was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

"When the big occasions come – Germany at home last year – we rise to the occasion. One thing that we'll probably be kicking ourselves about is looking at some of the games in the group that we could have got a result in.

"But ultimately we came here against Wales, who needed the same thing against us, and it was a tight game, but our determination got us there.

"It's what this group is made of. We are fighters. We might not be blessed with superstars like other nations, but we have got the togetherness and the willingness to get results, and that's what pulled us through."